How can I teach her to drink water?

[Frankieismybird]

My bird is almost 6 weeks old now. I'm still hand-feeding her a few times a day. I've seen her eat millet like crazy and some seed but only if it's on the floor of the cage, she's never eaten it out of the dish.

She stands on the water and food cups to climb the cage but she won't eat out of it.
I've also tried to give her romaine lettuce and corn on the cob. She pecked at the corn but had no interest in it and didn't touch the lettuce.

I have never seen her drink water before, is there a way to teach her? I've dipped my finger in the water and let her sort of lick the drop off but she tasted it and didn't want it.

And an off topic question...how old are they when they start taking baths? She hasn't done that yet either.

[chapala]

Keep both water and a variety of food available to her as she is weaning. Don't worry about eating out of the dish right now. She will find and use the food and water dishes soon enough. She's still a baby and learning about the world. It's important to keep offering a variety of food while she's learning what's edible, lots of good healthy vegetables, plus sprouted grains and legumes - check diet sticky for the only legumes that should be sprouted.

Re bathing, you can start misting her just a little with a fine spray of water, sprayed over her head so it falls like a gentle rain.

[Anneka]

Since you are handfeeding her, she might not need extra water yet, even though she is eating seeds already. I'd not worry. Plets don't drink often anyway.

[Frankieismybird]

Thanks for all the information everyone. I feel much better now. I bought some apples and a bag of frozen mixed veggies so far. I also found this package of sprouts, has anyone used it? Is it ok to feed her?

http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq71/rlnieman/DSCF0002-1.jpg

http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq71/rlnieman/DSCF0003-1.jpg

[chapala]

Store-bought sprouts are not recommended for birds because of all the problems there have been with Salmonella and other contaminants, many recalls. It's very easy to sprout at home. Just search on our site here, and you will see lots of posts on sprouting.

[Frankieismybird]

Nuts! Good thing it wasn't that expensive.